My #1 Tip for Keeping My House Neat with 5 kids

As a busy mom of 5 kids, keeping my house neat is my top priority. Visually, clutter upsets me. Clutter overwhelms me. Factor in 5 kids with their toys and gear, and the feeling of being overwhelmed multiplies.

It doesn’t have to. It’s my home. My home can be a warm, comforting, inviting, and neat environment.

The key: Controlling the Clutter

My #1 Tip for Keeping My House Neat: Control the Clutter

Yesterday, I did a quick video tour of my home as it is right now. I didn’t put anything away. Sure, I’m in the middle of spring cleaning which means the kitchen floor looks extra shiny.

My home looks the way it always looks. Mostly neat, and definitely lived in.

How I Control the Clutter

Don’t let clutter in. If clutter doesn’t come in my door, there is less for me to clean, manage, or get rid of.

Move items along when we’re finished with them. No more babies in the house, and none expected? Boom – pass the crib along to someone else. Outgrown shoes – Goodwill pile and donated asap.

Have routines for the kids. Thanks to our after school routine, my kids empty their backpacks and move onto homework without leaving a huge mess in their wake. Yes, I do have 2 kids who need reminding along the way. These same kids are great about keeping their rooms clean. It all balances out.

Have a place for everything. In the video, I showed you our computer issue. Since our house is neat, the computers are less of an issue. Shoes are not an issue since the kids know they go by the back door.

Return items to where they belong. When items go back to where they belong, no one (ahem, me) goes crazy looking for them. I stay sane. The house stays neat. Everyone is happy.

Periodically assess how your routines and systems are working. Expect some routines to change for the school year and summertime. Other routines may change as your kids get older. New routines will get started when you need to juggle 4 teenagers taking a shower daily. It’s normal. When you assess how your home is working, you’re anticipating and planning ahead to meet needs.

Everyone helps. I am always telling a child to put something away. Always. If said child tells me it’s not theirs, sometimes we will find the owner. If the child tells me they didn’t get the item out, I stop them right there. It is not my job, nor is it yours, to keep track of who’s doing what with what in my home. That’s a recipe for craziness, and I won’t go there.

If you remember nothing else of my advice – make it clear to your kids they are responsible for cleaning stuff up. It doesn’t matter, most of the time, who made the mess.

Everyone helps clean up.

What are your tips for keeping your home reasonably neat?

Meet Barb

Barb Hoyer has written 4364 posts.

After working in the fundraising world for over ten years, Barb is an avid runner, writer, photographer, parent volunteer, and lover of dictionaries and thesauruses. Wife to an engineer and mom to 5 kids, Barb lives in the suburbs of Philly. Her idea of relaxation is an afternoon on the couch with a stack of books.

It’s taken me awhile to get that tip ingrained in my brain. I still don’t have it down pat. My dh just made a comment about the money I spend on craft supplies so I’m trying to use up what I have first before buying new stuff.

I HATE clutter too! I am a crazy person when stuff is left around. One tip I have is that I make sure the kids are dressed, beds made and dirty clothes off their floor before coming downstairs in the morning.

Great tips! I am working on cleaning out our hall closet, so shoes and coats will have a place to go. They are our biggest source of clutter!!Jennifer @Making Our Life Matter recently posted..UPDATED Recipe: Party Punch

Some great tips here Barb – we’ve been quite good at passing on things we no longer need, all of the kiddos clothes and toys get boxed up when they’re outgrown and either sold (to make money to pay for clothes that fit!) or donated to someone who needs them.
#supermommyclubClare – The Super Mommy Club recently posted..25 Frozen Inspired Party Ideas, Crafts, Activities and Recipes

Clutter is my number one problem in the house at the moment as I am getting busier with school and a bit of volunteer work. I dont know how to just be cleaner. i wish we can be. this is so helpful your tip =) #magicmomentsMerlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted..Ordinarily Magical

Barb,
I agree with your point that you made about not letting clutter in. It’s amazing how clutter just doesn’t happen over night but is gradual. And once you have it, it can be really challenging to get rid of it. Really like your post, full of great advice and wisdom. Thanks a lot!The Funster recently posted..Where Did You Find That?

I think not letting clutter into your house is key. I have a large garbage can right next to my van that cuts down on the amount of clutter that comes in. Extra papers, junk mail, “art projects”, little toys, etc are all fair game. normaleverydaylife recently posted..Freshening Up the Garage

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